Travel Better, Not More: Insights You’ve Never Heard | HikeStrong | Ep. 37
02/04/2026 | 54 min
Most hikers focus on the trail—almost no one understands what shapes the experience before they arrive. What does it really take to create a great hiking experience—and who’s working behind the scenes to make it possible? In this episode, Marcus Shapiro sits down with Shannon Stowell, CEO of the Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), to explore the hidden systems that shape adventure travel around the world. From developing destinations like the Jordan Trail and Patagonia to training guides and supporting local communities, Shannon shares how ATTA quietly influences the experiences hikers have every time they step onto a trail. The conversation opens with a wild story—being unexpectedly pulled from his own event to meet a governor in Mexico—and quickly expands into deeper insights on what makes adventure travel meaningful, responsible, and sustainable. Marcus also brings a powerful thought experiment to the table: two hikers summiting Kilimanjaro—one prepared, one not. Both reach the top, but the experience couldn’t be more different. What does that mean for guides, group dynamics, and the future of adventure travel? You’ll also hear: How destinations like Chile and Jordan are developed into global hiking hubs Why 30–50% of travelers still show up underprepared—and how that impacts guides What “traveling better” really means (and how it can positively impact local communities) Why adventure travel is more resilient than mass tourism The growing trend of “dim sum travel”—doing more, not just one thing This episode connects the dots between prepared hikers, supported guides, and protected places—and why all three matter more than ever. If you’ve ever wondered how your experience on the trail is shaped long before you arrive, this conversation will change how you see adventure travel. Explore trips and get inspired @ https://www.adventure.travel/ Learn more about the work behind the Adventure Travel Trade Association @ https://www.adventuretravel.biz/ HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/ Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip: https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/
Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/
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Training for the Camino After a Heart Attack: One Man’s Return to Hiking | HikeStrong | Ep. 36
19/03/2026 | 47 min
In this episode of the Hike Strong Podcast, Marcus Shapiro sits down with Joel — a 63-year-old retired physician who went from a heart attack, beta-blockers, and years of declining fitness… to completing the Camino de Santiago and rediscovering what he’s capable of. Nine months before this conversation, Joel reached out with a simple question: Can I actually do this? After a STEMI in his 40s, years of weight gain, and the limitations of beta-blockers, Joel felt out of shape, uncertain, and honestly — afraid of elevation. But he also had a growing list of adventures he didn’t want to miss. This episode follows that journey. Joel shares what it felt like to start over… What it was like training in a completely flat environment… And how his confidence slowly returned — one walk, one stair climb, one small win at a time. We talk about: The mental side of rebuilding after a cardiac event What it feels like to exercise on beta-blockers Reclaiming identity after years away from fitness Training alongside his wife and staying accountable The moment preparation turns into belief And ultimately, what the Camino de Santiago meant to him. From quiet coastal mornings along the Camino Portuguese… to the realization halfway through the journey that he was ready… And it didn’t stop there. Since completing the Camino Walk, Joel has gone on to hike the Great Ocean Walk in Australia, continuing to build momentum with each new experience. Looking ahead, he and his wife are planning future adventures including the Cotswold Way, the Tour du Mont Blanc, and even Kilimanjaro — goals that once felt uncertain, and now feel possible. This is not a story about elite performance. It’s about reclaiming your life, one step at a time. If you’ve ever wondered whether it’s too late — or whether your body can still do hard things — this conversation will resonate. HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/ Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip: https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/
Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/
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Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms: https://hikestrongpodcast.buzzsprout.com
Training for Mount Kilimanjaro at 68: Sibling Summit Story | HikeStrong | Ep. 35
03/03/2026 | 54 min
How do you train for Mount Kilimanjaro at 60+ without living near mountains? Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro isn’t just about summit night — it’s about the months of preparation beforehand. In this episode, siblings Bob and Susan (both in their late 60s) share how they trained separately in completely different environments and successfully summited Kilimanjaro together. Susan lives in the Washington, D.C. area and trained using local hikes in Virginia and Maryland, treadmill work, stairs, and strength training — one year after her second hip replacement. Bob lives in Iowa and trained in flat terrain, relying heavily on stairs and an artificial sledding hill to build elevation gain. Both had real concerns: altitude sickness, balance, downhill scree, and handling back-to-back trekking days. Over 12 weeks, they focused on elevation gain, lunges, balance work, and milestone challenges — logging more than 35,000–40,000 feet of vertical gain in training. By the time they reached Tanzania, the physical side was no longer the question. In this episode, we cover: How to train for Mt. Kilimanjaro without mountains Elevation gain vs. mileage Hiking after hip replacement Balance training for hikers over 60 Trekking poles and downhill control Managing altitude sickness The value of experienced guides Why preparation reduces anxiety on big expeditions This conversation is for anyone who believes big adventures are reserved for younger bodies or perfect terrain. Readiness can be built deliberately, locally, and imperfectly — and sometimes the most meaningful summits are the ones you share with someone willing to commit alongside you and stay accountable every step of the way. HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/ Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip: https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/
Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/
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Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms: https://hikestrongpodcast.buzzsprout.com
Who’s Really Behind the Hiking Gear Videos You Watch? | HikeStrong | Ep. 34
20/02/2026 | 53 min
Most hikers research hiking gear and watch gear reviews before a trip. You’ve probably watched hiking gear videos before your last hike—but have you ever thought about who’s creating them? In this episode, we step inside the world of user-generated content (UGC) and talk with a real outdoor creator about how it actually works in the hiking and outdoor gear industry. Marcus sits down with Ryan Heck, a UGC creator who works with outdoor brands like KÜHL and BioLite, to talk about: What user-generated content actually is How Ryan studies and tests hiking gear before showcasing it What makes hiking gear reviews feel authentic Layering strategy for hut-to-hut hikes in changing weather How hikers can approach content creation themselves This episode isn’t about workouts. It’s about understanding the hiking gear content many outdoor enthusiasts already consume—and the role it plays in the broader hiking experience. After listening, you may start seeing hiking gear videos on Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook differently. Ryan Heck: Outdoor Brand Content & UGC Creator | Trekker Heck Instagram Ryan and Marcus will both be at https://hikeexpocolorado.com/ in May 2026. HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/ Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip: https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/
Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/
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Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms: https://hikestrongpodcast.buzzsprout.com
Inside the Outdoor Industry: Lessons from REI, Osprey, and Years Filming in the Field | HikeStrong | Ep. 33
03/02/2026 | 59 min
What do years inside the outdoor industry actually teach you about gear, preparation, and creating in nature?
In this episode of the HikeStrong Podcast, Marcus Shapiro sits down with outdoor photographer and filmmaker Dan Holz, co-founder of Fieldborn Creative, to talk about what he learned from nearly a decade working on the retail floor at REI, more than seven years leading photo and video at Osprey, and decades working in the field with hikers, athletes, and outdoor brands.
Dan shares behind-the-scenes insight into how outdoor gear is really designed and tested, why pack fit matters more than weight, and how working with real athletes in the field differs from staging outdoor marketing shoots. Drawing on his experience as a photographer and filmmaker, he explains how preparation — both physical and logistical — allows people to be present on the trail and on set, rather than just getting through the day.
Marcus and Dan also talk about how COVID reshaped hiking culture and the outdoor industry, what brands learned during that surge, and why authentic outdoor storytelling depends on lived experience, not polish or performance.
Whether you’re a hiker planning a big trip, someone curious about how outdoor brands operate behind the scenes, or a creator interested in authentic outdoor storytelling, this episode offers an honest, grounded perspective from someone who’s lived it. Featured Guest Dan Holz Co-Founder, Fieldborn Creative Dan is a lifelong outdoor professional whose career spans retail leadership at REI, creative direction at Osprey, and decades of fieldwork capturing authentic outdoor stories around the world. His work is rooted in lived experience and reflects how adventure actually unfolds. 🔗 Learn more: https://fieldborncreative.com
Dan and Marcus will both be at https://hikeexpocolorado.com/ in May 2026. HikeStrong mobile App: https://hikestrongapp.com/ Ask Me How To Get Fit For Your Next Hike, Trek or Backpacking Trip: https://fitfortrips.com/consultation/
Get Your 3 Free 12-Week Hiking Training Plans: https://fitfortrips.com/free-hiking-training-plan/
LIKE & SUBSCRIBE for new videos: https://www.youtube.com/@HikeStrongPodcast
Check out the audio podcast version on all platforms: https://hikestrongpodcast.buzzsprout.com
The HikeStrong Podcast is where I share practical guidance on hiking, backpacking, and trekking preparation. Each episode blends fitness insight with real-world training strategies to help you build strength, endurance, and confidence for any trail.I sit down with guests to break down how to train for demanding hiking, backpacking, and trekking goals using smart strength training, endurance training, and conditioning approaches. You’ll hear clear advice on altitude training, uphill training, and injury prevention, all woven into training conversations that support preparation for major destinations such as Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp, Rim to Rim, Tour du Mont Blanc, the Camino de Santiago, Patagonia, Machu Picchu, the Alps, and the Dolomites.Because training is never one‑size‑fits‑all, I also bring listeners inside real programs. In select episodes, I interview clients in a deep‑dive format that reveals week‑by‑week training details — real data, real challenges, and real solutions — offering a clearer picture of how people actually prepare for hiking, backpacking, and trekking goals.A cornerstone of my approach is elevation‑gain training. I believe that consistently building weekly elevation gain is one of the strongest predictors of success on any major adventure. In each episode, I share clear, actionable ways to develop that strength — even if you don’t have access to hiking terrain — so you can stay on track whether you train on hills, treadmills, stair machines, or step‑ups.If you're preparing for a major trip, gearing up for a multi-day backpacking route, or building a long-term plan for tougher hiking or trekking challenges, you’ll find episodes that support every step of your training.Beyond training, some episodes feature voices from across the hiking, backpacking, and trekking worlds — guides, operators, storytellers, and industry experts whose insights can shape how you think about adventure. These conversations broaden your perspective and influence your outdoor experiences, even when the focus isn’t directly on training.Listen, train with purpose, share with your adventure partners — then take on at least one unforgettable hiking, backpacking, or trekking experience each year. Train | Hike | RepeatI’m Marcus Shapiro, a hiking strength and conditioning coach and an early pioneer in online training for hiking, backpacking, and trekking, helping adventurers get physically ready for everything from local elevation goals to high-altitude expeditions.
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